Jasper businesses face labour shortage

Jasper Chamber of Commerce general manager Pattie Pavlov says there are more than 300 vacant positions in the town of 5,000 people. She says temporary foreign workers are needed to serve the thousands of tourists that will visit Jasper throughout the summer.

“The TFW program is an integral part of that several pronged approach to dealing with a labour shortage period,” said Pavlov.

“Our push particularly with this moratorium is to have that lifted as soon as possible so these businesses can get back on.”

The changes in federal policy worry workers in Jasper like Isis Valerio. The Dominican Republic native is not a temporary foreign worker, but her work permit expires soon and her permanent residency application is not yet completed.

“Hopefully I will stay longer,” she said. “Every day the immigration situation is changing.”

There are often days in the coffee shop when Stark’s entire staff is made of temporary foreign workers. She said they have become like a family.

“I need them and I think they need me,” she said. “We have a great relationship.”

“All the time they worry about you,” said Valerio. “It’s not just work, it’s a family.”